PlaneWave CDK20 Telescope (f/6.8)

Starting Price: $39,000.00
Price as Configured: $39,000.00
Brand: PlaneWave Instruments / SKU: PW-200104Q
The CDK20 from PlaneWave Instruments is crafted with precision engineering and cutting-edge technology, making it ideal for dedicated astrophotographers and discerning astronomers. With its robust design and advanced features, the CDK20 is well-suited for various advanced observational and scientific applications, consistently delivering high-quality images.

The CDK20 f/6.8 stands out with its impressive specifications and features:
  • 20-inch (508 mm) aperture
  • 3454 mm focal length
  • f/6.8 focal ratio
  • 224 mm back focus from mounting surface
  • Perfectly flat field across the entire 52mm image circle
  • No off-axis coma or astigmatism
  • Rock-solid fused silica mirrors with low thermal expansion
  • Lightweight and rigid carbon fiber optical tube assembly

NOTE: Shipping cost will be determined after the order is made and must be paid before the telescope will ship. A shipping quote can be obtained on request.
Packaging (Required)
Recommended Add-ons and Accessories
Product Price Quantity
PW-2003136 - PlaneWave Solid Aluminum Shroud CDK20 (Factory Installation Required)
PW-2003136 - PlaneWave Solid Aluminum Shroud CDK20 (Factory Installation Required)
About This Product
Enhance the protection of your telescope’s primary mirror with our Solid Aluminum Shrouds.

Specifically designed for OTAs like the CDK14, CDK17, CDK20, and CDK24, these ruggedized shrouds offer debris and light mitigation ensuring optimal optical performance.
$920.00 each
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Recommended Add-ons and Accessories

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PW-2003136 - PlaneWave Solid Aluminum Shroud CDK20 (Factory Installation Required)
PW-2003136 - PlaneWave Solid Aluminum Shroud CDK20 (Factory Installation Required)
$920.00
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PW-2003136 - PlaneWave Solid Aluminum Shroud CDK20 (Factory Installation Required)
About This Product
Enhance the protection of your telescope’s primary mirror with our Solid Aluminum Shrouds.

Specifically designed for OTAs like the CDK14, CDK17, CDK20, and CDK24, these ruggedized shrouds offer debris and light mitigation ensuring optimal optical performance.
PW-200150 - PlaneWave Counterweight Accessory for CDK14 & 20
PW-200150 - PlaneWave Counterweight Accessory for CDK14 & 20
$265.00
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PW-200150 - PlaneWave Counterweight Accessory for CDK14 & 20
About This Product
Counterweights and Bracket for CDK14 (Front Ring Only) and CDK20, comes with three 0.5 LB Stackable (#125382) weights.
PW-200166 - PlaneWave Reducer 0.66X CDK20/24
PW-200166 - PlaneWave Reducer 0.66X CDK20/24
$1,600.00
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PW-200166 - PlaneWave Reducer 0.66X CDK20/24
About This Product

This is a reducer designed specifically for flat field telescopes like the CDK. This reduces the f ratio of the CDK telescope 66%. The f/6.8  CDK20 telescopes will be reduced to about f/4.5.

**NOTE – 200166 adapter is also compatible with CDK17 that have 8.81″ back focus.   CDK17 with 10.24″ back focus will use the 125166 focal reducer. See instruction manual for details.

PW-2002101 - PlaneWave Sliding Counterweight System Rail & Brackets for CDK20
PW-2002101 - PlaneWave Sliding Counterweight System Rail & Brackets for CDK20
$690.00
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PW-2002101 - PlaneWave Sliding Counterweight System Rail & Brackets for CDK20
About This Product
Requires sliding weight system counterweights, not included.
PW-200204 - PlaneWave CDK20 F/6.8 Corrector Lens Assembly
PW-200204 - PlaneWave CDK20 F/6.8 Corrector Lens Assembly
$1,600.00
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PW-200204 - PlaneWave CDK20 F/6.8 Corrector Lens Assembly
About This Product
This lens group is designed to convert a CDK20 f/7.7 to a wider-field f/6.8. The original lens group is unscrewed from the backplate of the optical tube and replaced with the new lens group.
PW-200398 - PlaneWave Counterweight Bracket for CDK14 (Front-Ring Only) & 20
PW-200398 - PlaneWave Counterweight Bracket for CDK14 (Front-Ring Only) & 20
$80.00
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PW-200398 - PlaneWave Counterweight Bracket for CDK14 (Front-Ring Only) & 20
About This Product
Bracket, Counterweight for CDK14 (Front Ring Only) and CDK20
PW-200399 - PlaneWave Visual Adapter - CDK20/24
PW-200399 - PlaneWave Visual Adapter - CDK20/24
$184.00
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PW-200399 - PlaneWave Visual Adapter - CDK20/24
About This Product
This 3.5″-2″ Visual Adapter, for the CDK20 and CDK24, slides into the optional 3.5″ Hedrick Focuser. The adapter steps the 3.5″ opening down to 2″ for standard 2″ accessories. The adapter also adds some additional spacing to optimize the use of a 2″ diagonal so focus is reached with most eyepieces.
PW-200915 - PlaneWave Ronchi Eyepiece and Adapter Kit for CDK20/CDK24
PW-200915 - PlaneWave Ronchi Eyepiece and Adapter Kit for CDK20/CDK24
$460.00
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PW-200915 - PlaneWave Ronchi Eyepiece and Adapter Kit for CDK20/CDK24
About This Product
The Ronchi Eyepiece and Adapter Kit is available for CDK 12.5, CDK 14, CDK 17, CDK 20, and CDK 24. This adapter kit includes 3 pieces: an adapter for the Hedrick Focuser, a Ronchi Eyepiece, and a Ronchi Eyepiece Spacer.
PW-200970 - PlaneWave CDK20 Fabric Light Shroud
PW-200970 - PlaneWave CDK20 Fabric Light Shroud
$207.00
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PW-200970 - PlaneWave CDK20 Fabric Light Shroud
About This Product
This is a spandex fabric light shroud that blocks out stray light and minimizes dust on the primary mirror.
PW-600166 - PlaneWave Reducer, Lens .66x for IRF90 & CDK20/24
PW-600166 - PlaneWave Reducer, Lens .66x for IRF90 & CDK20/24
$1,600.00
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PW-600166 - PlaneWave Reducer, Lens .66x for IRF90 & CDK20/24
About This Product
The PlaneWave 0.66x Reducer is engineered specifically for flat-field telescopes like the CDK20 or CDK24, optimizing focal length for enhanced imaging capabilities. This model, designed for use with the IRF90 rotating focuser, features a low-profile build to accommodate cameras that require extra back focus. While the reducer itself has minimal back focus, it does utilize a substantial portion of the telescope’s overall back focus, so precise spacing is essential. When paired with a compatible camera, this reducer decreases the CDK’s focal ratio while maintaining top-tier optical performance.
PW-600332 - PlaneWave Adapter, CDK20 to AP Female
PW-600332 - PlaneWave Adapter, CDK20 to AP Female
$207.00
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PW-600332 - PlaneWave Adapter, CDK20 to AP Female
About This Product
This adapter mounts in place of a focuser on CDK14/17/20 & 24 models and has the standard AP female threads.
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Price as Configured: $39,000.00

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Large Aperture and Moderate Focal Ratio
The CDK20 f/6.8 features a significant 508 mm aperture and an f/6.8 focal ratio. This combination provides excellent light-gathering capabilities and a wide field of view, enhancing its ability to capture detailed images of deep-sky objects for astrophotography and research purposes.

Advanced Optical Design
Equipped with a state-of-the-art Corrected Dall-Kirkham optical system, the CDK20 offers unmatched image clarity. It eliminates off-axis coma and astigmatism and provides a perfectly flat field, ensuring images are crisp and detailed across the entire field of view, requiring minimal post-processing.

Robust Mechanical Structure
Built with a carbon fiber optical tube, the CDK20 is both durable and lightweight. Its design minimizes thermal expansion, ensuring minimal focus shift with temperature changes, which is ideal for extended observing sessions under diverse environmental conditions.

High-Performance Mirrors and Coatings
Utilizing fused silica mirrors, the CDK20 maintains precise optical alignment and exceptional surface accuracy, even during temperature fluctuations. The high-quality coatings improve light transmission and reduce stray light, optimizing the telescope's performance for specialized observational tasks.

Thermal Management
The CDK20 has cooling fans and a Delta-T ready system to achieve thermal equilibrium swiftly. These features help reduce air turbulence within the tube, thus minimizing image distortion and maintaining consistent imaging quality.

Integrated Dew Control
The telescope includes advanced dew prevention technology with heater pads controlled by PlaneWave’s software. This ensures optical surfaces remain free from condensation in humid conditions, thus maintaining clear and consistent imaging performance.

Application-Specific Benefits
Astrophotography
With its large image circle and exceptional field flatness, the CDK20 allows astrophotographers to capture expansive and breathtaking views of the cosmos with incredible detail and clarity.

Astronomy Research
The stable and precise imaging capabilities of the CDK20 make it an invaluable asset for academic institutions and observatories engaged in sophisticated astronomical research, including deep-sky surveys and detailed photometric studies.

Visual Observations
The CDK20 excels in visual observation, providing bright and clear views ideal for star parties and serious visual astronomy. Its large aperture and superior optical quality deliver stunning views of planetary, lunar, and deep-sky objects, making every viewing session a memorable experience. Here's the updated article adapted for the CDK17 based on the features and specifications from the provided product page:

Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and Space Domain Awareness (SDA)
The CDK20 also lends itself to Space Situational Awareness and Space Domain Awareness applications. Its capability to provide detailed observations can be essential for tracking and monitoring satellites and other space debris, contributing valuable data for space traffic management and safety initiatives.